Rotary plug valve



SePf- 30, 1952 M. P. LAURENT 2,612,340

ROTARY PLUG VALVE Filed May 12, 1948 4 Shets-Sheet l wf/////////;1I". -2

/5 /4 727m 28 3mm M. P. LAURENT sept. 3o, 1952 Filed May 12, 1948l W4 l W Sept- 30, 1952. M. P. LAURENT 2,612,340

ROTARY PLUG VALVE Filed May 12, 1948 4 sheets-sheet s Sept. 30, 1952 M. P. LAURENT ROTARY PLUG VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May l2, 1948 Patented Sept. 30, 1952 `2,612,340 vROTARY PLUG vALvE Milton P. Laurent,vHouston, Tex. Application May v12, 1948, Serial No. 26,606

17 Claims.

','I'his invention relates to plug valves. More particularly it pertains to a rotary plug valve which is extremely effective in controlling 'the ow lin conduits carrying fluids which may be at high temperature, high pressure, and/or of a corrosive nature, without leakage vor wear of the sealing `surfaces of the valve.

Some plug valves which have been? employed under such'adverseconditions have been provided with a sectional head having closure elements which are forced outwardly mechanically to seat'against the ports in the valve housing in order to effect a tight seal when the valve is closed. Most known valve constructions of this type', however, are so designed that during movement ofthe valve between open and closed positions, a wiping or sliding action takes place between the sealing surfaces of the valve while 'these surfaces are under load, i. e. pressed together in sealing engagement. It has` been observed that under high temperature yand/or cor- `rrosivev conditions most metals become coated with an oxide protective lm. Such a iilm` on valve sealing surfaces, if not rubbed koi by abrasive action, tends to prolong the eiective lift of the surfaces. -A wiping or dragging action between valve sealing surfaces that are loaded, however, not onlydestroys this protective lm,',b ut also causes rapid wear and sometimesv galling of the laccurately machined surfaces with consequent leakage, f

The sealing surfaces of plug'valves of thevtype under consideration may be placed, under load, l i. e. forced together, not only mechanically but also hydraulically, which latter loading in valves of known -construction may 4,develop asituation known as pressure lock. Valve sealinglsurfaces are loaded hydraulically when the valve is in closed position and has a iiuid pressure within the housing that is greater than the pressure in the line on onel or both sides of the valve. Most valves now in service are so designed thatl relief of the mechanical seating forces on the port clo sure elements does not positively unseal the valve to equalize any such pressure differential between the housing and the line. The retention o f such an hydraulic load results in the detrimental wiping. action above rdescribed during the initial movement of the valve from closed to open position. In addition, ifthe pressure in the housing is'greater than theline pressure on both sides of the valve, both, or all, the port closure elements 'are hydraulically forced outwardly against their and the wall of the bore;

seatsuso that the entire headl is bound or wedged, i

so' to speak, in place. This binding effect (presthe's'ealin'g surfaces ofthe`v`alfvefwhil 'suc sure lock) renders Imovementv of the'valve'from closed to open'position diiiicult tov initiate.;

Existing rotary plug valves having a.`cylindri` calV sectional'head construction have-the addi'- v tional shortcoming that the seatingforc'el'syap-v plied to the portclosure elements,-are notdistributed luniformlyabout the valve y housing, vthus causing Adistortior'i ofthe cylindrical sealin sur-'- faces of thehousing with resultingleakagfef For AuseA under low pressure and low tempera# ture conditions, 'the housings ofA plug'valveshav ing va sectional rotary heard soin etiine'bsj'areA lled with' a lubricant. In valves-of known; design, clearances exist'between the head andthe" "ous: ing Vabout the housing'ports'nwhen the valve open position, thus permitting escape'of 'thelu cantinto the uid flowingthrou'gh the-5v' ve. Furthermore, in such valves `cox'n'pleine liibrica- .tion ofvr all the relatively 'movirg'sealingA surfaces is had only through the provision of` special' grease grooves therebetween, which?conductftleflubril cant tothe points necessary 'or desired to vbe lubmated. 1 l 1 In known plug valve c'onstructmns which'lhave a sectionalfcylindrical head or plugjrotatingin a cylindrical bore,`the entire. outersurfa'ce 'ofltheplug 'doesnot 'sealingly 1 eontac't thecylindrical wallfof the bore when the valveis sealed. -In'fat, usually not more than halfofth'e surfae'aif'a' "of theV plug'is in such contact.' This lack of'sealfv mg' contact is due to the fact 'marine diameter of certain l parts of the sectional plug--inufst-be made slightly-.smaller than the diameter-of the'bore. Such proportions are necessary in known structures not only to permit assembly'of thev'al" Mut alsoi to permit'rotation of the plug in t "N, Hence; an imperfect seal is had betweentli plug In rotary` plugI valves ofthe type under 'consideratio'nclearances exist between-v' the plug arldtle Wall. of the bore' when the'A valve 'is' unsealeli Thesev clearances' usually prohibit the Uus'e'lofisiicli valves with? fluids carrying abrasive -mater'iali such as drilling mud, becausethe grit ir'i the'ili'cl's becomes lodged between the plugland the'wa "of the bore and preventsa-seal fi'mbeingff therebetween-` Iii-addition,- thefcutting actie' .the abrasive has a detrimentalf effect o sealing'rsurfaces of'such vali/elsif Acprdmgly, it 'is an objet 'ofthis inventif; provide a rotary plug valve having a sec` head in which nowipingactionjccurs rilassareY under lsqgpiiusfayiding Another object of this invention is to provide a cylindrical plug valve of the type under consideration in which'the radial seating forces, applied to vportions of the head, are uniformly distributed about the* valvehousing in order to avoid distortion of thcylindiiical 'seating surfaces thereof and' consequent leakage;

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary plug valve which, when the valve is in open position, forms a tightly sealed conduit therethrough which not only prevents escape of 4 opening to a cylindrical valve chamber in which is mounted a ported cylindrical head or plug, generally indicated at I3.A The valve chamber is formed by a transverse bore in the housing Ill which is closed at one end by a closure member I4 secured, as by bolts I5, to the housing. The cylindrical wall of they lbore is machined to provide an accurate seat for the mating cylindrical surfaces of the plug I3, as later described. A valve stem "T13 through the usualv "packing gland I-I'at onefend of the chamber and is lubricant from the housing into the fluid flowing l through the valve, but also provides for un: y

obstructed flow of iiuid therethrough.

Still another object of this invention isvtopron vide a rotary plug valve which does not require specialggrooves in the sealing surfaces .thereof to conduct a lubricant to and between such relative-V lyv moving surfaces, and in which these surfaces areautomatically lubricated eachtime-the valve is operated.

. I Stillanother object of this invention is to. pro- 4vide a rotary plug valve having a sectional or multipart. cylindrical `plug vthe entire outer 'cylindricalsllrface of which, when the valveis sealed,

makes forceful sealing contact with the cylindrica1.wall. of thebore in whi-ch the plug rotates. .f, Stillancther object of this invention is to provide a rotarydplugvalve, of the type having an expansiblezsegniental valve plug, with means to enable-the .valveto effectively handlefuids laden with abrasive materials.

Still another object of the invention is to, providean improved rotary plugrv valve which is simple-.in construction, easily operated, and which has; a longV life. in service involving high pressure, high temperatureand/or corrosive conditions.

Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following description andsaeompanying drawings in which:

. .Eigure 1 is an elevationalview, partly in section', ofarotary plug valve embodying this invenposition. VA portion of the valve head is broken awayftp' illustrate details more clearly,

Figurez is an elevationalview, corresponding to Figure l, with the valve shown, in open and'un.- Sealedposition. f

l Figure 3 .is asectional view taken-,on line 3--3 ofl'figure 1f.; y

,Figure 4- is a sectional view taken on 1ine4-4 ofgFigure 2. l 1 .Figure 5 is an exploded perspective View ofthe component parts of the valve head or plug.; Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of a modified form ofrotary;

plug, valve embodying this invention, with .y the valve shown in closed and sealed position. One n .of the valve head has been removed and a. portion of another section broken away to show `c ietails more clearly. e v 1 Figure 7 isa sectional view taken on line r'I--1 or Eigure', showingthe valve inopen and sealed position. j

gure 8 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 4 illustrating a modification of thein- Referring howto -the drawings, there is shown taryj plug .valve embdyingthe novel features ingfwprovideawith aligned ports n and 42 tion,.,with thevalve shown in closed and sealed y is provided with an operating handle I8, rotation moved axially by a sleeve I9, which is mounted on the outer end of the valve stem and is rotatable by a handle 20. The sleeve I9 is threadedly received within' a collar 2| which is secured and supported in spaced relationship to the housing I0 by legs 22. The sleeve I9 and the valve stem I6 are rotatably connected by a ring 23 interposed therebetween andv seatedy in aligned annular grooves 24 and 25 formed in the outer and inner` surfaces' of the valve stem and the sleeve, respectively. With this construction,it will be seen that the valve stem `I3 may lbe rotated with respect to the sleeve I9 to open or close the valve, and that rotation of the sleeve I 9, by the handle 20, `will axiallydisplace, i. e. raiseor lower, the

valvestem. f

The valve plug I3, bestshown in; Figure 5',.i s of multi-part or sectional construction, havinga central core 26 secured to,` and preferablyintegral with, the valve stern I6. .That end of the c ore26 opposite the valve stem is provided with a support or guidemember 21 which is journalled forfrctationand axialdisplacement in a bearing recess 28 formed intheclosure, member I4. Threaded intothe closure member IIl is a pressure lubrication tting 29, of known construction, which communicateswith the bottom of the recess 28. A passageway Za in the support 2'I conducts lubricant, forced linto therecess 28 through the fitting 29, to the cylindrical valve chamber for distribution as later described. 'I'he core 26 is of rectangular frusto-pyramrial shape, as shown, to provide four rvhat side faces 30 inclined, to the rotationalaxis .,Of the core. A passageway .3|

. extends .transversely through the core and opens to opposite side faces 30 thereof.

Interposed between each of the inclined side faces 30 ofthe core 26 andthe cylindrical side wall 32 of the valve chamber is a segment 33 having a latinner face 3,4 and an arcuateouter sealing face 35. The inner face 34.0f each segment is parallel to the corresponding juxtaposed side face 3. of the .'core. .This construction pro vides a set of four pairs of wedging surfaces which areefective .to force the segments radially outof his^invention. '1fhe valve has the usual houswardlyof theplug I3 to seat ,the outer faces 3 5 againstthe chamber wall 32 upon relative end wse (i. e. axially oftheplug) displacement be.- tween the segments and the core in one direction. The opposed vparallel facesy and 34 of the core andthe segmentare shown in;=the drawings as being flat, but it will be understood,.howevel. that these cooperatingfaces may. be of any suitable configuration, suchas; arcuate, which; prof vides wedging surfaces thatarefeffective. teaccomplish not4 only the desired radial' expansion of the plug I3, but also rotation Yof the segments 33 withthe core 2.6.@ f Thev radius of curvatureof the-arcuate; vouter face of each segment Visvtl'ie same zaszpthatof tbe.y1.ir1. 1rica1.;wal1.i32.'.Qf the chamherin order ,aerasao y toproyide sealing surfacesthatare exactly vmated .aw-hen in? sealing engagement. VIn the event. that :r the valve is to be employed for extra. vhigh pressure `.'service, the radius of curvature of theouter faces .unent lof the core 26; but permitl the segmentsto i? turn or rotate as a unit with the, corefor opening --and closing the valve. l Those segments 3,3.,which arewdisposed adjacent the ends of the `passage-'- l way 3'I1thr`oughthe core are provided with ports 3.1,awhich, in the open position of the:valve., are adapted to be registered, exactly, with they ports I Il and I2 in the housing and the passageway 3| lthrough the core to permit unobstructed 'flow through the valve. The two ported segmentsfor convenience may: be termed "port opening seg- '-ments. The remaining two segmentazwhich are imperforate may be termed port closing segments. 'I'he peripheral length of the arcuate seal- 'ing :surface 35 of each segment is only slightly l.less Ithan one-fourth of the circumference .ofthe cylindrical wall '32of the chamber, so that only `afsmally clearance existsbetween adjacent side *edges 38 of the segments: .when the plug is iex- -panded, as shown in'Figure 3. and these-side .fe'dgesare substantiallyvin contact when the plug is contracted, as shown in Figure 4. "With the structure thus far described,` it wil v-be seen that'rotation of the valve steml by the o therebetween upon rotation ofthe plug by {sealed-joint between these ports and thazcoif passageway 3I when the valve is 0pen@..:.Hence. whenv the valve is open,;the core passageway, the segment ports 31,;v andthe housingv ports Il and. I2 form a sealed conduit through. the valve soy that any lubricant inthe housing, i. e. between the plug and the valve chamber walls, cannotbe washed therefrom, byjuid owingthrough-'the valve. Furthermore, -such a sealed conduit ,profvides for unobstructed'fiow through the valve.; s

Opposite oit-,downward movement of4 the :core 26 bythe handle 20 `releases the `wedging action between the core and the segments, 'whiclrrelease is effective to relieve the mechanicalseat'- ing load `on the sealing surfaces of the .'valve. Hence, no mechanicall load exists on the valve sealing surfaces when a wiping action. occurs :the handle I8 'to open or close the valve.

In order to avoid the development of apressure lock situation when `the valve is closed-.and

handlev I8 turns the core 26, which carries along arcuate outer faces 35"move into tight sealing 4 engagement with the cylindrical wall 32 of the valve chamber, as shown in Figures 1y and 3. Since the radius of curvature ofthe sealing'faces of5the `segments is fthe same as or slightly greater 'than that of the side wall 32 of the chamber, complete surface contact is had therebetween v'-a'nd, hence a perfect `seal is effected.A It also is *pointed out that the plug expands radially' in four dierent directions spaced uniformlyl about itsaxis and that substantially theentire surface -aifeaof the cylindrical wall 32 of the valve chamberis thereby' contacted by the outer surface '.ofthe segments, sov that the seating yforces imparted by thesegments 1to the housing I0 are distributed uniformly about the chamber side wall, .thus 'avoiding any distortion of this wall from-a true cylindrical shape. It also will be noted that they eiective area of contact .of the rwedging surfaces between the port .closing segalso to avoid an hydraulic load on thesealing surfacesduring their relative rotary movement, means are provided for moving the port closing segments radially inwardly upon relief of.;.the

mechanical seating load, inorder tao-positively unsealthe valve and equalize lanyfe'xisting pressure differential that may loadthe-'sealing isur.-

-of the groove and rib, respectively, provide op.-

posed parallel wedgingsurfaces inclinedv ,tofthe rotational axisof the core which are eiective-to force the port closing segments radially inwardly,

`vas shown in Figures 2 and 4. upon axial move- Aments and the core is quite large and, in fact,

-' pletelyrargouncl thesegmentrports; 3140 form-sa The port opening segments, however, Lrnay` be ment of the core in a direction lto;y relieve. l the mechanical seating load on the sealing surfaces of the valve. It will be seenthat with proper propoortioning., the outer face of the rib I0 and the bottom of the groove 39 may cooperateas wedging surfaces to assist the we dging 'action between the faces 30 and 34 in the expansion of in detrimental-'wear usuallyonly whengsuvch sur-E faces are under load, and there is no possibility that a, pressure differential will hydraulically loadthe port opening segment sealing's'urfaces,

keyed or otherwiselconnected to the coref shown) for rotary. movement thereby`, wit Athe contracting effect, in order to eliminate y possiblebinding or wedgi'ng of thes'efsegments;

The operation of thefvalve` is evident .from the above description. Assuming the valve inthe .closed and sealed position, as shown'inligu'rel,

the handle 2'0 is first operated to. contract plug I3 and thus positively unseal the valve." The l handle Il!` may then be operated to Aturrrtl'ie plug into open position (Figure ,2)`V where'fitis againexpanded by the'fhandle ZIIto'Seal ,the valve.. Conventional Stops (not Shown). may be provided within? the, alve'chaniber'or n 'W falsi-'arm Ati'cn" systemiffor the l valve.v The space between A cant'supplied to Vthe Vreservoir-213,15 througlfi'v the fvoir- 544;.V -f 'l ,These channels 1' -45 are f formed f by-l'v the clearances existing. between adjacent' side-edges ySlifef .the segments In addition to the.F channels tbyepassagevizays 461 andf4'i 'formedby clearances finithe rib and gro'oveconnection` between theycore V'andthe pbrtf closing.I segments. -Thesei clearances are providedby#bevelling` the edges of the." groove -39';and therib-40;.as'indicatedat 48 andf49yref ispectivelw, inFigurei.'#In addition toltheanl snular reservoirs 43 anddilgl annularapassageways vor.-charinelsfsll'-and 5i (see Figurerf'llwcontain lubricant; These channels 50'andf 5| may be :formed .byrbevel-ling the v'end edges fof thefouter arcuate-'.surfac'eszof the. segments;l as shown: at.- 52 4`(seee Figure .5) :and/or. by. groovin thelchamber Wall 'a'szindicated at -53 (se'e Figure-2) -:-After1thefihousing has .beenfilled with lubri- -cantxthe automatic operationk 'of the lubrication i" plug -=asse'rnblytoI openv or close-.thevalvez spreads the vlubricant 'over the entire salingxsur'faces of the valve; Whenithe Vvalve is resealedg-the channels-45n Widen and Vreceive ylubricant 4forced afrom -b'etweenithefsealing surfaces -by expansion of the plug assembly.vv

f VJIt'falsotWill benotedV that rotationizof'the blug assembly slides the .ends oft thegflubricant `lled channels 45v "over thexannular Jabutments :.3 6' to ensure properilubrication -between the latter and thegends o fthesegments. In addition, `thepasfsageways 46 and 141 assure adequate :lubrication of; the Sliding Vcolma-ation betweendhe c re j and thejporg closii'1g segments. Thus c yalye is lubricated automatisallr"everyfsin espere@ or-.cl Vf IFigugzfes. b, and '7., show a rnocliiied iormof rotary plus' yalvef embodying thisinventionzwhich is eduippedwith mansito enable thema/e to ef, f'ect'ivey 'handle' v fluidscarryingA abrasive material. iiiizlioiigii the basic' Iprinciples' of the Vvalve uns? tatd in 'Figures 1 throughf 'are' retained in this mod''atio'n', is'omie structural' I divierences exist. The waive-ms a-ho'u'sing 51sy providejwith aligned cylindrical p'a'fssageways- 55 `termina'ting in f eggi v`s'iiapclfports 56 that open to a'cylindrical valve cliamber#` ".Ihe" valve 1 chamber is formedV V`by a transverse' b'oreij51'" closed Iby 'ay closure member',

safsecured tdfthejhousing by bcitsfea; 1

t 58. A hevalve ste'rn-BIlis'providediwith means .tofeiect l Iboth rotation"and1 :faxialff displacement Ithz'er'eof'fiThe structureY illustrated'in'Figurel, `orY its equivalent, f is'lsuitable for. this: purpose. e Lubricant may be `c'ondu'lcted'rto the packing .gland u'llthrough al-conduit'BZyin th'eouter end of which a y Vp'ressure lubrication iitting i-Cnot shown)y is adapted-'Stube secured.y f

fa-The! Valverplug assembly comprises fsa -frustopyramidalfcore` v63;'ltw`o port' .openingvv segments 4, V

and'l `two yport closingasegments. 65, substantially the 'same as 1 the lkValve fplug. assembly illustrated Yinligures` 1"-through :5;'1-'The core 63 vand the 'port opening segments d'ihaveports' 66 ,'and .-61, re- Y spectiv'ely,V therethrough which? are .egg-shaped 4inLtransverse.lsectionftoV conformi to vthe lsh'ape of the housing;l pni'rtsl :5.62 This shape :permits .the use 'fof 4a plug Lof: less :diameterelthan one.: having '1a vfr'zylin'dri'cal :passage'was7 therethrough,with0ut ef- 'fectingflow' restriction: The base ofthe cerek 63 .isi prcvi'ded.,with support" or :guide .member f 68 which is /ijournalledfor rotation and` axial: dis- 'placement in'fa'bearingf recessnf formedinthe end wallof the bore15'1,.':- Axialedisplacementof the valve yplugv segments'fislv preventedfby .an anznulars. ring .member-J0'seatedgagainst the-lend wall ofe'the bore 5l and an annular ashoulder l Lon .the

bonnet 58 which .projects into# the bOre. if' the proportions offthefsplilgsassembly so require, ;the four... I corners :of thezbasezof V,thecore 63 .fmayfbe rounded; asv indicated; at-T12; to,4 eliminate ,.p ossible interference ",betweeni the'se icorners and thering member 'Hl upon axialzdisplaceinent of the, core itoward Ytliering membeU--to contractfthe valve plugfassemblymyf/It fw-ili: be obvious thais such in- -terferencefalsom'ay be eliminatedjby terminating V:the base off-the. .-c o1'ef .63 somewhat: short of the ends of the segments.; TheA lgortv closing: segments -165 lmay have recesses .T3-ine theryinner Surfaces which yare Ajuxtaposedthe side faces of the core,

bothto-fsaye material and to lightenthe valve plug assembly.-4 These port closingesegmentsare .slideablyfastenedto the core by.- keys '14 `which iij'fiinto'V undercutgrooves orchannels inthe juxtaposed 'surfaces o f. the jsegmentsand corefrespectively This :construction simplifies :somewhat the manufacture o the cor?, i.n; thatfrthe neeessityof formineribs isuch @S140 inFiguref-) integral therewith eliminated., YU11-Qn1assemb-1i'.

thekeys 1 4,preerablyfere,secured aeainstm. .ei

,ment A in the Core .eroovesfzby any' conveniiqnl ,mechancalmeans Suchet stakina Thus., aafree sliding@ connecten is effected between thesport @losingesments L65 lndthemore63 br meer! Q f between thebonnetjssand mehousinefsaywhen assembled, tof` provide af'seal therebetween. The lip 16-`a`lso serves to anchor theliner securely in 'place/in thebore; @Preferablyithe liner'is proyided wit-'u a reinforci-n'gfmetanic Vcom' "or stunning feie- Y :mente 18,"o-fffbronzel'or material fof "Similara char'- amas@z tainia ts'ecure bon'dfbetween the rubberand the core'zduring themolding operation. The perforaf tion's 119falsosomewhat increase :the resiliency of the` core;` Ports 80"areifprovidedin the `liner 15 inxalignment with thehousing ports 56. The

liner' isfpre'ssed inJ place during assembly 'of the f valvek'an'd maybefreplaced 'upon wear. It will befn'oted that only the narrow periphery of the" ports 'inv'theliner is exposed tothe abraslve action'of grit or'sand laden fluids whenr the valve is `sealed in either open or closed position.,

@The operation 'Othismddied valve-'isv the same f as@ that 'shown in Figures 1 through 5. When t'he 'valve isl unse'aledgfhowever,v and the plgiisfcontracted', abrasivesfcarri'edin the fluid inthe ow line may enterthe clearance space bef tween the liner and the'segmentsj-"The resiliency 1 o1'v Vthe- Pliner perr'n'itsy such abrasives? to be embedded'therein whentheplug is expanded to seat thiesegments against the-inner wall offtheliner. Thus,'a complete seal may? be' eiected, even: with such v"fluids as drilling mudi" 'In order 'to produce am'oreyetectivef 'seal4 between the plug andthe lin'?r,ftlie` radiusoflcurvature ofthe outer jarcu# 'i ate 'sealing' facesfoithe` segments preferably vis somewhat grea'ter than'f'thatof the cylindrical* innrfsufaceof the -line'r', valthough somewhat f less-than 'that of the c'ylin'drical wall of the' bore.

ber of a-valv'ef-ofthis type- -whn equippediwith a liner. l ='Hence,1"no "pressure 'lubrication' tting for introducing lubricant to the valve-chamber is illustratedinIigures` 'and-7; f

"Asp'rev'iously stated,fin the event thata plug valve embodying'thi'sA invention is intended yfor extra'. high pressure'se'rvicefthel radius of curvaf ture'of the' sealing faces of fthe segments should be slightlyl greater than' that of* the chamberwall. TheA I`1"e`as'on?for such construction i's'"that the housi'ng'fa'ctually 'expands'-' slightly under extreme-g ly high pressure,thu's T increasing the diameter of the valve chamber.` Henc e,' if the segment sealing surfaces" do "fnot' have av radius'jof curvature equal tofthis Aincreased" i'adius of v curvature of the'fval've' chamberyfa' perfect mating of the sealingsurfacesfof'the'yalve cannot be had andthevalve vsiilIleakLfv For-'e i'nple, if a valve' chamber is `1normally'- 4z inchesm diameter, a hydrostatic stretch the 'Acasinguniformly' and "may increase thiejdrameter'te 4%iihehes, a radius efeurvemre of 2%4 incl:ie"s."Thel radiu'slof curvature of the' er the eegmehr'eheuiq h'evthe seme,

sealing surfaee chamber when n'ot servicefl has a" radius of curvature' "somewhat sealirfgfsurfaee :asfy valve i'si'ifnder liig lifnes','a1'd increases theradius'of vcuifvati'1re-e of the cylindriealwallj' flthe valve chamber to substantially',v equal that 'of 'l thef sealing rsurface of the mentmllenc 'the valve', is closed an ale'd a; eiflect matingof thesealing sur-` .Qbtainedf been illllStr derstebdhow ver, that-the'invention isapplicable WAO .tefrm A -ered I byits ab; l typeo'f'zvalve used only to 7 control the iiowoi fluidin a line. A.Iltrvvill be un a type. f; .Accordingly,y

have three,h ve six, ,etc. sides, instead oful'ecg: tangular as shown, with a.Ycorresponding numrf of segments, f y y It will be seenl that a simpleyet extremelyeiy ly `5 fective and durableplug valveghas been'f'pr by this invention. VIA.Variousf'structural which-retain the basic principlesfof the in reafdily'will occur to one'skilled inthefar cordingly, the invention, embraces a ll mo' tions which comewithin vthespirit and vsc .l thelfollowin'g=` clainis 1.1A rotary plug `valve comprisingg r`provided with a yli'ridrical.chamber4H v ,15 :least one vport opening through kthe sid thereof; a sectional valve plugA mounted fo tapered core having'ffatleastjthIM y v M core ybeing,nfiountedlfor displacerhent xi lly said chamber andv having-'a p throughwwithr a port inat least u Y u faces; a'fsegment linterposed betrween side vface'an'd `said chamber sidewall; n y

segment' having `anj"arcuate outerv face oppo to said walllfor sealing engagement therewithjan an inner faceparallel tothey juxtaposedfsideffac of ysaid core, the, segment overlringithe' p 1 sideface 'of said f c'ore h ving 'afport ther adapted td be aligned?. A'Saidc'ore poriznthe, one, permit flow the rough, efsum of t l of the. arcuate `seaingfaces of ra the l being substantially@ "al'tthe c lril the cylindrical wall A. thepchamber length Iof the arduat, 4sealing. faces f ment beingzsubfst llyfequa, x means Said housing 1.01" maintaining ments against displacement axiall i ben whereby -.rotation por said G Qre open andclose the valve 'and'"atrial A, of said corein one direction, is effect" formlyfforce said segmentsvradiall and therebyv expand; 1saidfphisiint. Ealing kgagement with' saidjcylindrica'l;Qhaibei" wa '2 7 4The structure {dened by 'claim IL ,in the radius of vcurvaturelipi,thearcuate eachy segment. is at leastas great,.a's.lthat fV the.

3. The structure deiinedyeclaini-fl-in hie f. e the radius of curvature-e-oi.` the 'arcuate .-face=of. each segment is"s lightlygreater han? thatfof thecylindricalfchamben walkw- 4. A rotary plug valve com provided-.with aA 'cylindrical-f'bhamber having t 553 least 'onef-.port' .fopeningmthrughjthe iside? Wallfl thereof jid-sectionalfvalve' plugfmounted lion" v tion 'in said chamber; "said plug includingan f ax muy tapered corel-having' at leestthreezsid'fe" said 'core-being mounted vforl displce'r'ne ial1y 5'of'said 'chambe'r'ari'd hai/"1 IigaY passagewa therethrugh with'a'portf'lihfat' I'stfn--f sidefaces, "and a segment interposed bet each seid-eidefae ahdsaideham'hfsi eeen said'segmen-thevih t opposed f tol said jwall for sealing engagement'r". therewith' aha eh inne-r 'fa'ege "beieuei' te'frrie tepesed sidefaee' 4aramid cere; the' segheht 'e lying the ported side face of said core h y portvrher'ethrehgh adapted teiie'fiihlfhdv 0 saidA housing port'and saidfcorelpot" in open positionf'of thevalv'e-t perniitlow er through; `int'e/ rcoiiri'ectiiig 'means' 5 fastening 5 each, ofhthe nonported segments 'to y 'said fcr'e "fdr' fell ative' slidab'le '.mjovementbetweentheirjlxt prising: a housing|77 i .eivo1rs, Y l toopen and close the valvegfaxial displacement of, saldcoiein Aone direction is vefectivetdforce o sad's'eg'inent's' radially .outwardly into sealingenf Y A direction.

id'channelfs being' formedl by'clearances nels insaid plug Vconnecting" 'saidfre'ser A bei 'een' the side' edges,y of each said non-portedV 'en and the nextjadjacent segmentj/andI o conduct.ajlubricantftoone of said res-1A whereby' rotation of sai' icoreiseectivei g''gelnt lwthfsaifd.ohalbisde Wall vand there-A byltvdnisaic:lubricantcharmes, and axiai displa ernentfoflsaid .corelin the other direction' is eec tol 'force said vnon-ported segments ra- Y dially.- nwardly'. out of'sealingiengagement' with saiichamberfside wallfand thereby narrow said antlchanels.

` Y nietrlicallybpposed ports opening throughthe side Ywall*thereof ;v va. sectional valve' plug Amountedgff 'rotation insaid.chamberg-rsaidlplug in@ l cl-'d'mg a `corelmountedior displacement axially of saidfchanber and having a transverse [passage-v 121I c y chamber and' having' a 'passageway therethrough provided' with an' lendV :opening in yat ileastone" sideface of said Score;y asegment interposed bear; tween'fthe side f wall 'of l:the chamber and.: each* of the side faces of'said core, each ofY said-seg@` i ments 'having an outer l'arcuateVA face for. :sealing: engagement with the side wall-of vthe chamber f andan innerf'facehaving at least a'portion there-rf? of opposed and 'paralle'lxto thecorresponding side^ face of th'ecore tolprovide Wedging surfaces ef, fective to force said segments ,radially outwardlyof the plug upon relative'displacementtbetween said segmentsland'zsaid coregin-uone direction faxV` ially ofthe plug, `the segment overlying said pasy i' sageway .openingy-havin'g; -a port 1 r,therethrcmgh adapted to be aligned :with saidopening; the sum1,vv

'20 F75-Airwayplgnvlve comprising: a housing n y facesof each ,segmentbeingsubstantially equal..- provided with aocylindrical chamber having diae` circumference of fther a cylindrical o ,wall f; ofpthe 'i o chamber "and the length of the arcuate -sealing' 9; The structuredened'byv claim 8 including Wa'fylfttlie'rethrougnf'a pair foffport' closing seg? l ment f and a`-pair of".y portz opening lsegments i n`, ten-posed between opposite sidesof 'said'. core and saidfclarnberl side .y wall, each'- 'ofy said segments engagement' therewith; and each ofsaid f op ningsegm'entshavingtan opening theret ,.adaptedto bealig'ned with, onelofsaid f h .portsgand an end 'opening of said ycore new. iliereth'rougntm sum ofthe lengths vrfcuate sealing faces off all' the segments` oit vbeing su'bstantiall'y'.l equal to the, circumference sara segffnfsiaciaiiy outwardly of said p1u'g and intoAE sealing engagement with' 'said chamber y side Wall upon axial f6. Thefstructuredened byclaim 5vvv in which thegffabutting lsides Vof fthe' core and :each of the portfclosing segments 1are. interconnected to provide a- ;secondf set of; Wedging 'surfaces eft'ectivefto' positivelyf-forcesaid.portclosing segments ra-` kdially inwardlypof said plug rand out` of--sealin'g engagement! with-fthe chamber side -vwallV upon axial displacementofsaid core in the other di- 'rectionflp -e I f .The structure' defined by lclaim* 5 in` which thereiectivearea of contactofjthe set of Wedg- 'ingsurfaces between .the :core zand each port openingjfvsegment completely encircles the aligned azi-arcuate ,face ,opposed to .said wallifor l Y paj agewayvin meppen-position@ the vaive'to: V Perm ii ,relative displacement axially! of the plu'ei Said means having opposedparallel faces inclined tothe rotational axis' of the plug to :providewedg-gVV ingsurfaces effective to positively force said nonported'segments radially inwardly ofsaidfplug'V upon 'f relative displacement Abetween #said yseg-f :i ments and said vcore-in :thefother direction, ax-4 `u ially of theplug, j f 10. In a rotary plug 'valve-havingfahousing provided with' a cylindrical1 chamber, diametrically opposed ports'opening through the side ofl said-chamber, 1 and aported valve plug mounted 'in said chamber, saidfplugcomprising-:fa `sym-:z

metrical rectangular I frusto-pyramidal',scorefv mounted for rotation 1in vand for displacement 1* axially 'of the chamber .and having a transverse passageway provided with tend' openings .in vop-f` posite side faces thereof ;a"segment yf-interposed between each of the side-faces of said core and the cylindrical wallofthechamber, each Aof said segments -*having anouter. arcuate face .for-seal-I ing'fengagement with i the .cylindrical .chambers wally-and -an inner-face having-.at least ai'portion thereof opposedand parallel to thel juxtaposed side face of the core, `those; segments 'overlying displacenlent of said core in one' said -passageway openings having ports '.*there-I through Which are adaptedjtobealigned withif of the. arcuate sealing rfaces of each segment be.

ing! substantially equal; rotation ofv the plug be-A ing effective to .open and close :the valve, Vand axial displacement of said core-relative to'said segments in one direction beingeifective to force each of said segmentsradiallyaoutwardly `and-- endsTo'fAtl-le corerpassageway and the 'segment opening",v L' LV .Y v Y* rotaryiplug valve having a housingrpro- "vided with .a cylindrical chamber, at-:least *one o portopeningthrough the sidewall of said charn-l tion-in'said-fchamberfrsaid valve 'plug compris-v ing-t a-ssymrnetrical--pyramidal'core mounted for metrical Amounted for rotation in "and for displacement,

t ment with rthe rcylindricalwall of, the chamber.

11. In a rotaryplug Jvalve having ahousing providedwith acylindrical chamber,diametri#A cally opposed portsiopening...through the side of f axially of the chamber "and having avv transverse passageway provided lwitlrend'openings inV pppd; i'

site side facesthereof; a segment; interposd bep tween each of the side faces of said* core'g and if the cyiindncm Vwan-M the ehambenehof ,saldi segmentshavingian' outer -arcuatelfa'ceffor seal# atraer@ side 'face ofthe core, those vsegments "overlying,

said passageway' openings having ports therethrough which areadapted to be aligned with said openings; and the' remaining segments being slideably connected to said core by a dovetail joint for relative"displacement-axially of the plug; rotation ofthe plug being-eflective.v to open and close the valve, and axialdisplacement'of said core relative to said segments vin one direction being 'eifective Y' to forceffsaid, segments radially Ioutwardly and therebyiexpand the plug into sealing engagement with the cylindricalwall of the chamber and linthe, other directifonjto positivelyforce' said remaining segmentsjradially inwardly vout of sealing engagement with the chamberv wall. r Y

12. AA rotary plug valve comprising: `a .housingfpr'ov-ided with a cylindrical chamberh'aving diametri'callylopposed ports opening through'the side wall thereof; a rectangular frustopyramidal valve plug core mounted for rotation land axial displacement in said chamber, said core having a transverse passageway with ports in lopposite side faces of said core; a valve plug segment interposed between each of the side lfaces of said core and the cylindrical side wall of said chamber, each of said segments having'an arcuate outer face for sealing engagement with said chamber side wall and an inner face having at least a portion thereof opposed and parallel to the juxtaposed side face of said core, the arcuate length of the sealing face of each of said segments be-V ing substantially equal to one-fourth of the circumference of said chamber side wall; those segments juxtaposed the ported faces of said core having ports therethrough which are adapted to be registered `with said housing ports and said passageway ports in the open position of the valve to permit unobstructed flow therethrough; interconnecting means fastening each of the non-ported .segments to the core for relative slideable movement between their juxtaposed faces in a direction normal to the base line of the corresponding core face; and an annular shoulder at each end of said chamber to maintain said segments against displacement axially of said chamber, whereby rotation of said core is effective to rotate said segments therewith to open and close the valve, and axial displacement of said core in one direction is electivelto force said segments radially outwardly into sealing engagement with said chamber side wall, and in the other direction to force said non-ported segments radially inwardly out of sealing engagement with said chamber wall.

13. A rotary plug valve comprising: a housing provided with a cylindrical chamber having diametrically opposed ports opening through the side wall thereof; a symmetrical rectangular frusta-pyramidal valve plug core mounted for ate 'length of said ewan, said inner facelof each"V segment having substantially the sameconiigiiraf" i tion and area as eachjside face 'ofrsaid'corejthef core andv segments, whenjassemblem;forming a substantially? 'cylindricalvalve` plug; thos"e'r fs'egments overlying the ported side faces of saidlcoreA having ports therethrough which are adapted to l bejvregistered with said housing'portsand"saldi pasSgeway ports in the open posi'tion'ofh'thfe valve to'p'ermit unobstructed flow therethrough;

n axially of said chamber;

rotation in and displacement axially of said segments having an arcuate outer face for seal-v ing engagement with said chamber side wall and an inner face opposed and parallel to the juxtaposed side face of said frusto-pyramidal core, said outer face of each segment having the same radius of curvature as said wall and an arcuatev y14. A rotary plug valve comprising vousing`- provided with `a cylindrical chamber. jha'yl1-ngatl",4 least one port opening th`rougl1 theside` wall" thereof; a sectional valve plug mountedior rot'af.,v tion in said chamber and having a passagg"ewa y`V therethrough which opens'through atleast one side of said plug, the side opening in saidplug being adapted to be aligned with said. housing port in the open position of the valve to-permit flow therethrough; said plug4 includin'gva core mounted for displacement axially of said charnber, atleast one port sealing segment, and` at least one port opening segment, each of said segments being interposed between said core and said chamber side wall and having an arcuate face opposed to said wall for sealing engagement therewith, said port opening segment having an opening therethrough constituting the side opening in the plug; abutment means within said housing for maintaining said segments against displacement axially of said chamber, the abutting sides of said core and each of said segments having opposed parallel plane faces inclined to the rotational axis of said plug to provide sets of 1 wedging surfaces effective to force said segments radially outwardly of said plug and into sealing engagement with said chamber' side wall upon axial displacement of said core in one direction;- and interiitting means connecting said port closing segment to said core, said means being .thereof a ported sectional valve plug mounted for rotation in said chamber, said plug including at least three radially movable segments having arcuate outer faces opposed to the inner face of said cylindrical chamber, the sum of the arcuate` lengths of said segment cuter faces being substantially equal to the circumference of the inner surface of saidchamber, the length of the arcuate sealing faces of each segment being substantially equal, and at least one of said vsegments I pmyideegwima eyiindriamhamber lhmnguat, leastfovne portopening through the s'idejlvalllA thereof;.a cylindrical liner fsnugly fitting .said

chan"1be1:, sidejwall,Y said.. 1iner being of resilient material, 1 and` Y having atl least one port .there-4v throughalignedwith said ,housing port; a secf tionalsyalve plug-l mounted .i for rotation, in: said chamber, .said plug, including at least y.three radially.moyable 'segments having` arcuate -v outer,

faces Lc sppos'ed to therinner surface of saidglliner foi' 'se'a.iing,,engagement therewith, the radius of 4 curvature if Vthearcuate outer faces ofthe seg-v mentsilbeing. slghtlysgreater than that of rfthe inner@ surface ofthe `lir1 er, the,su1n. of the arcuate lengths 'of 4said'fsegnient outer yfaces being, s ub-` V15 stantially equal tothey circumference of the inner surfaceofsaid liner, vthelength of' thev arcuate sealing facesfof each element being substantially equal, andf'at least'vr one ofjsaid segments having aport therethrough adapted to be aligned with said llirportinjtheopen position of the valve toperlrt flow'therethrough; and means for posi--A tively forcing each offsadsegments radially outwardly into` sealing-engagement Withsaid inner.

line rface,

1 17., `A'iotayry plug valve. as.dened.by,c1aim 415; and including, ay ,cylindricaL liner.. snugly," tting` said. chambersidewa11,., said Iliner .being of 1e. siliennmateral and. hav-ingat least one portV v therethrough aligned With said housing side wall' port..

v Y vMIL'IObIP. LAURENT.

REFERENGES'CITED fThe 'followingfreferences'are of record in thel fue of lthispatient;

2,376,975' Morgan May 29; 

